Marriages prior to 1938 had both a license and a separate document called a "Return". The Return was filled out at the time of the wedding and sent back to the courthouse. It gives the actual date of marriage, place, witnesses and often listed birth dates and parent's names. If your marriage was before 1938, ask for both items. Beginning in 1938, marriages were recorded on a single document.


The license issued by any Washington county was valid for a marriage performed in any other county in the state. For some folks, it was closer to get their license at a different county seat than at the seat of the county in which they resided. Also, folks in Klickitat county may have married in one of the counties across the Columbia River in Oregon.


Beginning in July of 1907, the State of Washington began keeping BIRTH and DEATH records, and in 1968, MARRIAGE and DIVORCE records. For information on ordering certificates see the Washington State Department of Health:

Certificate Ordering Instructions

Center For Health Statistics
1112 S. Quine St. Room 1     OLYMPIA , WA - 98504
Information: (360) 236-4300     Phone: (360) 236-4313
Fax: (360) 352-2586